Friday, October 11, 2013

SHOOTING STAR CHASE STORE GRAND OPENING ... OCTOBER 11TH 2013...

Joan Collins opens new Shooting Star CHASE charity shop

The Hollywood actress and patron of the children's hospice charity has donated designer items to be sold at the store in Weybridge...

Joan cuts the ribbon with Shooting Star Chase patient Sian Tolfree

Designer jackets, shoes and handbags donated by Joan Collins have gone on sale at a Weybridge charity shop.

The Dynasty star made a red carpet entrance at Shooting Star CHASE's Queens Road store on Friday morning to cut the ribbon and officially declare it open.
Joan - who is patron of the charity she described as "very dear" to her heart - donated dozens of items, also including jewellery. She even got behind the till to serve a few customers.
Speaking at the event, the actress said: "This charity has been important to me for several decades.
"It does a great deal for young people and children with serious illnesses and I think this a great idea if we can get more people to donate their clothes that they don't wear, particularly if they are celebrities as there's a certain caché with having something that someone famous has worn.
"Last week we [the charity] lost two children and a baby which is very sad, but I want to try and do everything I can to raise money so we can afford more equipment to outfit various hospices."

'Raises awareness'
Shooting Star CHASE is a hospice charity caring for more than 600 families living in western London, Surrey and West Sussex, and needs £23,000 a day to continue its services.
Style icon Joan has also donated two Chanel bags, which the charity will be selling at £1,000 each. Among the items was a jacket by Dynasty designer Nolan Miller that she wore alongside Elizabeth Taylor in These Old Broads, and a suit from when she narrated a documentary about Princess Diana.
Joan added: "It's always hard to part with things because I only buy things that I really like and I won't be talked into anything by a sales assistant.
"I am a sales assistant nightmare when I walk into a store because I know what I want."
Despite the designer items that she owns, Joan said she had browsed in charity shops in the past, looking for 1940s items that are "so beautifully made compared to most things today".
Sian Tolfree, 18, who has DiGeorge syndrome, has used the hospice services for many years. She said Shooting Star CHASE was "very important" to both her and her family and was delighted to see Joan at the shop to raise its profile.
"It's brilliant," she said. "We need her support. Everything will help."
One happy customer was Alex Corker, 31, from Queens Road, who purchased a custom-made pink silk top designed by Joan.
"I think Joan Collins is fabulous," she said.
"The fact she has come to Weybridge to open this charity shop is wonderful.
"She does a lot for this charity so I think it's wonderful she has taken the time out to come in."
Shop manager Cathy Wragg added she was pleased to be able to welcome the star to the store, which she described as being different from traditional charity shops.
"It's huge," she added. "It raises the awareness. Everyone is talking about our shop. That's what you want."